Rotatable Quadcopter Body for 360-Degree Sensor Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional quadcopters are limited by their fixed orientation during flight, which restricts the field of regard for attached sensors, often requiring multiple sensors to achieve a 360° view, thereby increasing weight and aerodynamic drag.

Innovation Solution

The development of an integrated, convertible quadcopter with a body that can rotate about a longitudinal axis, allowing a single sensor to achieve a full field of regard (360° view) without the need for multiple sensors, and featuring a holistic design where internal components contribute to structural load sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are used to achieve a 360° view, then the field of regard is improved, but the weight and aerodynamic drag increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of regardVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The quadcopter body is made dynamically rotatable about its longitudinal axis during flight, allowing a single sensor to scan the entire 360° environment. This dynamic reconfiguration replaces the static multi-sensor approach, achieving full field of regard while reducing weight by eliminating redundant sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are used to achieve a 360° view, then the field of regard is improved, but the aerodynamic drag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of regardVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable body design allows the quadcopter to dynamically orient a single sensor toward different directions during flight, achieving complete environmental coverage without the aerodynamic penalty of multiple external sensor mounts that would increase drag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the quadcopter body is made rotatable, then the field of regard is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of regardVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable body mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables full 360° sensor coverage, allows the quadcopter to orient toward targets of interest, and can be integrated with the existing flight control system. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile operational capabilities from a single mechanical addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12221212B2Integrated convertible quadcopter with full field of regard

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising a convertible body operably coupled to at least one sensor, and further configured to rotate at least about a longitudinal axis, thereby providing a full field of regard for the at least one sensor, and a plurality of arms extending laterally from the convertible body, each arm of the plurality of arms having a rotor assembly coupled thereto.